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Constitutional amendments are official changes or additions made to a country’s fundamental law. They modify the original constitution to adapt to new circumstances or address issues that were not foreseen when it was first written.
Purpose of Amendments
Amendments serve to update, clarify, or expand the constitution. They can protect individual rights, define government powers, or address social and political changes.
Process of Amending the Constitution
The process typically involves multiple steps, including proposal and ratification. Proposal can be made by a legislative body or through a constitutional convention. Ratification usually requires approval by a specific majority of states or voters.
Examples of Notable Amendments
- The First Amendment, which guarantees freedoms of speech, religion, and the press.
- The Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery.
- The Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
- The Twenty-sixth Amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18.